Food blending apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns apparatus for blending and dispensing food products within a container, which my be disposable. The container  1  is charged with food product through its upper opening which is then sealed with a closure member  2.  The closure member  2  may carry a blender  7  when it closes the container. Alternatively, the blender may be admitted through the closure member  2  when blending is required. In each case the blender is moveable up and down relative to the container to blend the product in the container.

[0001] This invention relates to food blending apparatus and to a Methodof blending food within a container. The invention has particularapplication to milkshakes but can be used with other food products whichreed to be blended particularly those which need to be dispensed readyfor consumption in retail premises.

[0002] In earlier patent specification PCT/GB98/03193 there is describedfood blending apparatus and a method of blending food within a containerwhich may form a starting point for the present invention. Severalaspects of the method and apparatus are common to the presentapplication which seeks to provide an improved modified apparatus bywhich the product is to be blended.

[0003] According to one aspect the invention provides a method ofblending food product in a container wherein the container is chargedwith the product through an opening at the upper end of the container,the opening is closed by a closure member having blender access means,the container is transported when charged with product to a blendinglocation, a blender, extending into product in the container from theclosure member through the access means, is drivingly connected toblender drive means, and the drive means is actuated to operate theblender whereby blending product in the container and, after blending,the product is removed from the container for consumption through saidupper opening.

[0004] According to another aspect of the invention food blendingapparatus is provided which comprises a container having an upperopening for admitting food product into the container, a closure memberfor the upper opening, and blending means for blending products withinthe container, the blending means being drivingly connectable to drivemeans, the blending means being associated with the closure member andextending downwardly into the container from said cloture member towardsthe opposite end of the container, the blending means including arotatable shaft having connection means for releasably connecting thedrive means, for driving engagement with the shaft, and the shaftcarrying a blending element for blending product in the container uponrotation of the shaft.

[0005] According to a further aspect the invention provides a containerfor use in the food blending apparatus of the invention comprising anupper opening for admitting food product into the container, a closurefor the upper opening, and blending means for blending product withinthe container, the blending means being drivingly connectable toexternal drive means, the blending means being associated with theclosure member and extending downwardly into the container from saidclosure member towards the opposite end of the container, the blendingmeans including a rotatable shaft having connection means for releasablyconnecting the drive means with the shaft, and the shaft carrying ablending element for blending product in, the container during rotationof the shaft.

[0006] Preferably, the mixing means is carried towards tie lower end ofthe shaft. Additional mixing means may be located along the shaft fromsaid lower end, either spaced along the shaft, or in a spirally-arrangedarray.

[0007] The shaft may be reciprocally moveable in its axial directionrelative to the container and relative to the closure member. This maybe by a reciprocal movement of the drive means.

[0008] The closure member preferably includes a central aperture forreceiving the shaft, there being bearing means between the shaft andsaid aperture.

[0009] Instead of the shaft being reciprocally moveable, or in addition,the shaft may extend a distance down the container so that the mixingmeans operates at a level in the container sufficient to mix product.The product may be relatively viscous and/or in layers in the container.

[0010] The drive means may be connected for driving the shaft byreleasable connection means. The drive means may include a portion whichis located within a central cylindrical opening in the shaft and theconnection may be made by expanding said portion into engagement withthe walls of said opening.

[0011] A seal is normally provided for sealing over the opening for diedrive means in the closure member, the seal being applied to seal thecontents doing transit of a filled container, and the seal being removedto permit a blending operation.

[0012] A further opening may be provided in the closure member foraccessing the contents through a straw or by other means, afterblending.

[0013] Further features of the invention will appear from the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention given by way of exampleonly with reference to the drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a container assembly

[0015]FIG. 2 is a section corresponding to that of FIG. 1 of theblending means of the assembly of FIG. 1,

[0016]FIG. 3 is a section corresponding to that of FIG. 1 of the closuremember of the assembly,

[0017]FIG. 4 is a vertical section corresponding to that of FIG. 1showing the assembly during a blending operation and

[0018]FIG. 5 is a side elevation of blending apparatus using thecontainer assembly.

[0019] Referring to the drawings there is shown a container 1 for use inblending apparatus which comprises a body portion 3 consisting of aplastics vessel in the shape of a beaker having a base 3 A, upwardlydiverging, circular cross section side wall 3 B and an upper edge 3 C ofthe container. The container is nestable with other containers, whenempty, by location of the base through the upper opening of anothercontainer.

[0020] The container body or vessel 3 is provided with a closure member2 constituting a lid arranged to fit over the upper end of the body 3and to close the opening at the top of the body. The lid is generallycircular having an outer portion 2A which fits over the upper end 3C ofthe body to be sealingly engaged over the opening. This may be by cliparrangement, by heat sealing, or by any other suitable means forsecuring the lid 2 on the body 3.

[0021] At the centre of the lid 2 is formed an opening 5 for receiving arotatable blending element or impeller 7 which is supported by the lid 2for rotation relative thereto about the central axis of the container.Instead the opening may be arranged to receive a collar (not shown)fitting the opening 5 and having an inwardly projecting portion toengage the shaft 8 and to rotate with the shaft and to be drivinglyconnected to the drive means.

[0022] The opening 5 is formed with an inner cylindrical portion 5Aextending into upwardly and outwardly directed tapered portion 5B and anannular portion 5C.

[0023] The blending element 7 comprises a hollow cylindrical body orshaft 8 closed at its lower end 9 and having at its upper end anoutwardly diverging portion 1 of corresponding shape to the portion 5Bof the opening 5 whereby, in the position shown in FIG. 1, the element 7is at its lowest point in the container 3 in which the element isprevented from further downward movement relative to the container

[0024] At the lower end of the element 3 there is carried on thecylindrical shaft 8 impeller blades 12 shaped so that on rotation of theshaft 8 about its axis the blades 12 blend and mix a product within ticcontainer 1. Preferably the blades 12 pivot or bend about their innerends to lie adjacent the outer surface of the shaft 8, as seen in FIG.2, so that the blending element 1 can enter the container through theopening. Conveniently the outer surface of the shaft has recesses inwhich the blades 12 are received to lie flush with the outer surface,Alternatively the blades extend radially outwards to match the maximumdiameter of the shaft 8, the shaft being narrowed at its lower end.

[0025] In the cylindrical portion 5A of the opening 5 there is providedscaling means 5D which bears against the outer surface of the shaft 8 toseal the shaft and prevent the passage of material into and out of thecontainer 1 during blending.

[0026] The lid 2 is formed with radial strengthening ribs 13 extendingbetween the portions 5A and 5B and the outer edge of the lid 2.

[0027] In use of the container 1 the container body 3 is charged withmaterial up to the level L which, as shown in FIG. 1 is spaced below theupper end of the body 3 to allow for expansion or the product duringblending. Alternatively, the product may be filled to a higher or lowerlevel than that shown. The product, upon blending, usually becomesaerated and expands in volume. Filling is by conventional fillingtechniques with the lid 2 and blending element 7 not present. Afterfilling the lid 2 is located over the upper opening of the body 3 andfixed in position, as described. Alternatively the product enters thecontainer through the opening 5 after the lid has been applied. Theblending element 7 may then be admitted into the opening 5 until fullyinserted towards the base 3A of the body 3. Alternatively the blendingelement 7 may be entered into the container when blending is required.After filling, and location of the lid 2, the opening 5 is sealed by asealing diaphragm 14 sealed into the annular recess 5C of the opening 5.The seal 14 seals the filled container during transit after filling.

[0028] In another arrangement the element 7 enters the container mountedon the drive shalt when blending is to be undertaken.

[0029] After the container 1 is filled and scaled it may be cooled tofreeze or chill the contents of the container. Alternatively the filledcontainer may be transported at ambient temperature. When it is requiredto blend and dispense the product in the container the container istaken to a dispensing machine 16 (FIG. 5). The machine houses a drivemotor 17 having an output shaft 18. Below the output shaft 18 is alocation for the container 1 which defines a support surface 19 for thecontainer during blending. The seating 19 carries a shaped receiver 22in which the container 1 is placed and supported for blending purposes.

[0030] The receiver 22 may be hinged about its forward edge so as to bepivoted and moveable from the upright position in which the container 1may be located auto the support. The container 1 may be clamped inrelation to a support surface 19 during a blending operation, forexample by engagement of a clamp (not shown) with the top of thecontainer. The support 22 may be heated to heat the container contentsto assist the blending operation. The support 22 may be in the form of,a removable jug or a fixed housing.

[0031] The drive shaft 18 has at its lower end a vertically moveabledrive member 20 sized and arranged to locate within the shaft 8. Whenthe container 1 has been located on the machine 16 the member 20 isentered into the shaft 8 and is secured relative thereto. In onearrangement this is by a portion 21 carried on the member 20 towards itslower end which is arranged to expand outwards to engage with the lockwith respect to the inner walls of the shaft S. This may be at anyposition along the shaft 8 but is preferably intermediate its ends.Operation of the motor 17 gives rise to rotation of the drive shaft 18and of the member 20 which causes the blending clement 7 to rotate aboutits axis and blend product within the container. During such rotationthe member 20 may be reciprocated up and down whereby the element 7moves within the container raising and lowering the position of theblades 12 in the container,

[0032] By this arrangement the blades 12 act on the product throughoutthe body of the container and a satisfactory blending operation takesplace. The extent of the reciprocal movement depends upon the nature ofproduct being blended. It can be For the full height of the container orover a limited height. The drive may be programmed to give variablespeed, direction of rotation, torque and rate of reciprocation. It mayalso be torque limited, have variable blending duration and have acutout if torque levels arc exceeded or if temperature level of theproduct is wrong.

[0033] After blending blended product within the container may beaccessed through an opening 23 in the lid using a straw (not shown). Theopening 23 may be sealed by a seal or may be a weakened area of the lidwhich may be punched through by entry of the straw. Alternatively thelid may be removable from the body 3, with the clement 7. The opening 23may be located under the seal 14 to be opened when the seal 14 isremoved.

[0034] Instead of the described blending element 7, as shown, there maybe provided blades 12 at various positions along the shaft 8. This maybe by having a spirally-arranged array of blades 12 along the shaft 8,by having axially spaced blades 12 along the shaft 8 or by otherarrangements of blades whereby blending is effected over the height ofthe container by the location of blades at different positions withinthe height of the container. With this arrangement the reciprocalmovement of the blending element 7 may be found not to be necessary.

[0035] Instead of a blending arrangement in which the blending elementmoves up and down relative to the container, the position of the elementmay be fixed and the container moves up and down relative to the elementon a reciprocal base.

[0036] Instead of the container having a circular cross-section it maybe of other shapes, preferably shapes which provide for nestability ofempty containers,

[0037] The opening in the lid of the container may be sealed afterblending by applying into the opening a closure member which is a closefit into the opening and lies flush with the lid surface.

[0038] In other respects the blending apparatus, the method of its useand the construction of the components may be as described in earlierpatent specification PCT/GB98/03193.

1. A method of blending food product in a container wherein thecontainer is charged with the product through an opening at the upperend of the container, the opening is closed by a closure member havingblender access means the container is transported when charged withproduct to a blending location, a blender, extending into product in thecontainer from the closure member and through the access means, isdrivingly connected to blender drive means, and the drive means isactuated in operate the blender whereby blending product in thecontainer and, after blending, the product is removed from the containerfor consumption through said upper opening.
 2. A method according toclaim 1 wherein the blender is mounted on the closure member andincludes coupling means which is coupled to the drive means duringblending.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blender islocated through the blender access means prior to a blending operation.4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the blender is moved up anddown relative to the container during a blending operation.
 5. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the blender includes a shaft aid a blendingelement at the lower end of the shaft.
 6. A method according to claim 5wherein the blending element is foldable relative to the shaft wherebyto locate the blender through the blender access means prior toblending, the blending access means comprising an opening through whichthe blender is located.
 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein theclosure member and the blender are assembled with the container after ithas been charged with product.
 8. Food blending apparatus including acontainer having an upper opening for admitting food product into thecontainer, a closure member for the upper opening, and blending meansfor blending products within the container, the blending means beingdrivingly connectable to drive means, the blending means beingassociated with the closure member and extending downwardly into thecontainer from said closure member towards the opposite end of thecontainer, the blending means including a rotatable shaft havingconnection means for releasably connecting the drive means for drivingengagement with the shaft and the shaft carrying a blending clement forblending product in the container upon rotation of the shaft.
 9. Foodblending apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the blending element iscarried towards the lower end of the shaft.
 10. Food blending apparatusaccording to claim 8 comprising blending elements located along theshaft from said lower end, the elements being spaced along die shaft.11. Food blending apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the shaft isreciprocally moveable in its axial direction relative to the containerand to the closure member
 12. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein thedrive means connected to the blending means is reciprocally moveable andtransmits its reciprocal movement to the blending means.
 13. Foodblending apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the closure memberincludes a central aperture for receiving the shaft and there isprovided bearing means between the shaft and said aperture.
 14. Foodblending apparatus according to claims 8 wherein the drive means isconnected to the shaft by releasable connecting means.
 15. Food blendingapparatus according to claims 8 wherein the drive means includes aportion which is located within a central opening in the shaft, anddriving connection between the drive means and the shaft is made byexpanding said portion into engagement with the walls of said opening.16. Food blending apparatus according to claim 8 comprising a sealarranged to seal the opening in the closure member through which theblending means is intended to pass prior to blending.
 17. Food blendingapparatus according to claim 8 comprising a further opening in theclosure member for accessing the contents after blending.
 18. Acontainer for use in the food blending apparatus of the inventioncomprising an upper opening for admitting food product into thecontainer, a closure for the upper opening, and blending means forblending product within the container the blending means being drivinglyconnectable to external drive means, the blending means being associatedwith the closure member and extending downwardly into the container fromsaid closure member towards the opposite end of the container, theblending means including a rotatable shaft having connection means forreleasably connecting the drive means with the shaft, and the shaftcarrying a blending element for blending product in the container duringrotation of the shaft.
 19. A container according to claim 18 wherein theblending means is arranged to permit the shaft to move up and downwithin the container.
 20. A container according to claim 18 wherein theblending means is constructed to be admitted into the container throughthe closure member together with a blending element associated therewith